The Allahabad High Court has issued a stern warning to the recently formed special cell within the Lucknow Police Commissionerate, tasked with investigating criminal activities involving lawyers. While acknowledging the need to address the issue of "black sheep" within the legal fraternity, the Court emphasized that innocent lawyers must not be harassed in the process.
Key Points:
- The special cell was constituted to probe cases of land grabbing, disruption of court activities, and other serious offenses allegedly involving lawyers.
- The High Court clarified that its intention is not to "paint all lawyers with the same brush" and that genuine disputes should not be misconstrued as criminal activity.
- The Court cautioned the cell against using its mandate to harass innocent lawyers.
- It also directed scrutiny of the role of police personnel potentially colluding with errant lawyers or fake advocates.
- The Court expressed concern about the alleged poor quality of legal education in some colleges, potentially leading to the entry of undesirables into the profession.
- It directed the Bar Council of India and the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council to submit details regarding recognized law colleges and student enrollment data.
Implications:
- This order serves as a reminder of the need to balance the fight against criminal activity with upholding the rights and dignity of innocent individuals, including lawyers.
- It highlights the importance of due process and fair investigation procedures.
- The Court's directive regarding legal education quality raises questions about potential reforms in the legal education system to ensure ethical and competent professionals.
Overall, the Allahabad High Court's intervention aims to ensure that the special cell functions effectively within the bounds of the law and protects the rights of all concerned parties. The upcoming hearing on January 24th will be crucial in monitoring the cell's activities and ensuring its adherence to the Court's guidelines.
[Read Order]
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